Collaborative Proposal Creation
Create, improve and sponsor proposals in a respectful, fully bilingual environment. Grow proposals in the "Hothouse", for promotion to the "Workshop", to become official GPC policy.
Update to G16-P011: Recognition of Trans and Non-Binary People and Respecting Gender Identity and Expression
The Green Party of Canada recognizes that: trans men are men; trans women are women; there are many gender identities and expressions within, and outside of, the traditional gender binary of man and woman; a gender spectrum exists and is valid; and that gender identity, expression and chosen pronouns are to be respected.
Type of Proposal
Public policy that the party would represent
Objective / Benefit
This policy is drafted to bring us in line with our fellow Greens across the world to formally clarify our support for non-binary and trans Canadians and those with gender identities beyond the traditional identities of man and woman. Inspired by updates to the Green Party of England and Wales’ policy documentation and as a response to growing transphobia in Canada and elsewhere.
If your proposal replaces an existing policy or policies, which one does it replace?
This policy does not replace, but updates, an existing policy: G16-P011 - Advancing the Equality of LGBTQ+ Canadians
List any supporting evidence for your proposal
Green Party of England and Wales' Rights and Responsibilities (under Trans Rights): https://policy.greenparty.org.uk/our-policies/long-term-goals/rights-and-responsibilities/
Does this proposal affect any particular group and what efforts have been made to consult with the group or groups?
This proposal is designed to positively push for formal recognition of trans and non-binary people by the Green Party of Canada, and to instill formal recognition of gender identity. No direct contact has been made as of writing this proposal on August 5th, but the time crunch for proposals to gain sponsors leads me to put this out first and field consultation following, which may lead to further updates.
Jurisdiction: Is this proposal under federal jurisdiction?
Yes
Please indicate the language the proposal is being submitted in.
English
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Conversation with Michel Labonte
While I understand the importance of this issue for this minority among minorities, it's a polarizing theme that risks getting in the way of the climate and environmental issues that are the real priority. Should the Green Party allow itself to be distracted by gender theory, which is already on the agenda of other left-wing parties?
Hello Michel, thank you for the comment.
The simple answer: yes, this is an issue we should be paying attention to and taking a stance on. Particularly given how its now openly under attack by both provincial and federal party leaders. While other parties may take up the cause, we should not be ambiguous in our stance - and this policy does not suggest we make it our raison d'être as a party, it clarifies our support for trans and non-binary Canadians as a party.
Hey Kyle and Michel,
This is a critical issue, and Kyle, you are absolutely right about the countless attacks on this issue that LGBTQ+ families/allies are facing these days. Michel, in my experience, this is not limited to a "minority among minorities".
In my immediate circles, countless families I know have at least one person who is LGBQT+ and they are facing direct harm and risks to personal safety from the massive surge in anti-LGBTQ+ laws that we are seeing. In my own family (I have a bisexual daughter + her girlfriend to look out for, among others in my family), I worry every day for their safety in a world that feels increasingly hate-filled and targeted against them. We are in Waterloo, and the University of Waterloo had a targeted, violent attack in a gender studies class about a year or so ago. My daughter is at Laurier, but that is just up the street, and the threat feels very real, every day.
Also, this is not about "gender theory" - this is about standing up against a targeted, hate-filled campaign to roll back hard earned, basic human rights protections for LGBTQ+ families, by groups that are aiming to take us back to very dark days of the past. If these protections are lost, other protections for minorities will surely follow. Shall we also stand back and watch others revoke protection from discrimination from racial minorities? Women? Others?
If we don't speak up now, where will it end?
Greens have a great climate policy, and we need that. We also, thankfully, are not a one-issue policy, and we can work on climate while also protecting my child, our family and countless other amazing LGBTQ+ families, from horrible, targeted hate campaigns that lead directly to real world violence.
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